Bible vs. BlackBerry

Hello again, I wanted to share a text message that I received a few nights ago. First let me say, this one is quite convicting for me. I take my cell phone everywhere but I usually only take my bible to church or Sunday School. This one really makes you think....

CELL PHONE vs. BIBLE...

Ever wondered what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones? What if we carried it around in our purse or pocket? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to our kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of an emergency? This is something to make you go...hmm...where's your Bible right now?

Here's another one that I just thought of, what if we committed to a two-year agreement just to upgrade to a new bible?

And unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!!! Praise God!

Wait! I get the internet on my Berry. I can access The Word from my phone. Does this count? I didn't think so either. Can't blame a guy for trying.....

Until next time....

Air-Brushed Society

I read a great devotional a few nights ago. It was written by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. It's titled "Air-Brush Christians". It talks about Oliver Cromwell, a British statesman and war hero who was having a portrait of himself painted. After the artist was finished, Cromwell was upset because the artist had "air-brushed" out many of his blemishes and imperfections. He responded by telling her, "When you paint me, you paint me warts and all!"

I think this story is very indicative of how we operate as a society. We never like to admit our mistakes. We like to conceal our faults and failures, pretending they don't exist. We create these illusions that everything is "peachy" all the while we're dealing with turmoil. The problem is, Christians are sometimes just as guilty. We have a difficult time admitting that we're struggling with sin. We don't like to admit that at times our faith becomes weak. We don't like to acknowledge our pride. I think Jesus referred to this as "whitewash". This is where everything looks good on the outside but the inside is a different story. So, what should we do? Look at this passage:

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

For us to achieve true spiritual growth, we are going to have to take off the masks, stop the charade and get real. We are constantly battling that flesh that lives inside of us. Unfortunately, at times, we are going to fail. Let's quit pretending that we've got it all together. James says we should be confessing our sins to one another and asking for prayer and support. This will require trust, humility and making yourself vulnerable. It won't be easy at first but your relationship with the King will start growing stronger.

In the spirit of transparency, here are a few of my "warts" that I sometimes like to air-brush out of my picture:

1. I should be more encouraging to others
2. I sometimes act like my spiritual gift is criticism
3. I sometimes allow worry and fear to become larger than my faith in the Lord
4. I still occasionally struggle with anger
5. There are times that I allow my circumstances to cloud my true identity in Christ Jesus
6. I don't always pray through decisions or problems like I should
7. I hate to admit when I'm wrong......Did anyone order a side of pride?

I'm sure this will not come as a shock to anyone who knows me, but Scott Hedges doesn't have it all together. I miss the mark all the time. Isn't it about time we stop pretending and just acknowledge that?

My challenge to you, say NO! to being Air-Brushed, find a person you trust, confess something that you're struggling with and ask for their prayers and support. Live out the passage of James. There is a good chance that person may do the same thing with you. You know, that James guy might know what he's talking about after all.

Until next time.....

The World Didn't End...

Well, Election Day is over. Thank goodness! I'm not sure I can take any more mud-slinging, empty promises and yard signs. By the way, aren't you glad the folks in Florida finally mastered how to vote on their first try? My sincere appreciation goes out to the Sunshine State for saving us from another "hanging-chad" fiasco. In case you've been living under a rock, Barack Hussein Obama soundly defeated John McCain and was elected as the 44th President of our great Nation. It's amazing, the world did not stop rotating on its axis. The sun still rose this morning and the birds were still singing as if nothing significant happened. Put simply, the world did not come to an end. Why is that? I think it's because there are things in this world far more important than electoral votes, political parties and election results. My pastor Billy Edwards has some great thoughts. Read below...

Regardless of where one stands politically, today is a new day in America. Better or worse? Prosperity or Recession? Safer or more susceptible to attack? Willing to face terrorism head on or cowardly acquiescing? More abortions or the same sickening number? Marriage = one man and one woman or anything goes? The fringes of society marginalized or included? Honestly, despite what one may think or imagine, only time will tell.

One thing, however, has already been decided: God is on His throne, Jesus is Lord of all, and the church is the one hope for the world. Those things are true no matter who is president! I've told you this before...I've lived through 6 Republican presidents and 4 Democratic presidents. And honestly, not much changes. Neither can give us salvation. Neither can give us deliverance. Neither can give us hope that matters. Neither can make iron-clad promises. Salvation and deliverance and hope and promises come through Bethlehem, not Washington!

I am a citizen of the United States (proudly), but I'm not at home here. My home is in the Kingdom of God, which is both here and in the future; which supercedes nations and borders and political causes. The older I get, the more I feel like an alien, for I long more and more to be home. I don't plan on going home anytime soon, so I am yielding more and more of my life to God today. I gave my life to the Kingdom of God years ago; I re-up that commitment right now. Join me.

Until next time......

Market Update

This is your stock market update:

Wachovia - down 7.73%
General Electric - down 1.49%
CitiGroup - down 3.73%
DowJones - down .82%
S&P 500 - down 1.11%

The Kingdom - up 9.2%
Grace & Mercy - up 12.9%
Hope & Peace - up 14.5%
Eternity - up 19.6%
Jesus the King - up 22.7%

So here's the question.........what are you investing in?


Until next time......

Are You Thankful?

I was reading in Acts last night. Paul had one incredible life. You know, someone should write a book about it. Oh yeah... Any way, I read story after story about how Paul constantly faced opposition and threats for sharing the Good News of Christ. That got me thinking about how "thankful" we should be. When was the last time you were threatened with imprisonment for merely uttering Jesus' name? When was the last time you were ridiculed or beaten for sharing your faith? It kind of makes me wonder how intentional I would be if I had to risk being beaten or jailed for sharing my faith. It also makes me wonder why I am not as intentional as I should be.....something to think about.

Listening to K-Love, there is a song that I have really come to like. It's "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath. The message is how God sees us differently than we see each other. We are way too quick to find someones faults and failures. God sees us through eyes of love and compassion.

Here is the chorus to the song:

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

This song makes me wonder about all the things I miss in the course of a day. How many hurting/broken people do I pass right by and never know it?

Until next time......

First Blog

Alright, so I finally have everything set up. I imagine this thing is going to get pretty interesting. I don't have a ton of time today but I do want to make a plug for the movie Fireproof. We saw it on Wednesday and I have to say, I think God is going to use this movie in a mighty way. It is great for couples who are struggling but it's also great for couples who have a good relationship. I think it really illustrates the point that you have to experience the love of Christ before you can really love your spouse.

We are also doing the Love Dare study. It has been great to read, pray and discuss things with Christy. She really is an amazing woman. I don't know why it takes a movie or study to remind me of that but she really is amazing.

The Sox were knocked out of the post-season a few days ago but man it was a great series and season. I will have to wait until the series gets back to Philly before I can watch any of the games. I have had my fair share of St. Pete, the Trop, cowbells and blue mohawks. As popeye would say, "I can't takes no more!"

The election is drawing closer and closer. Things are getting pretty interesting. I am not as involved in politics as much as I used to be but I still follow what's happening. I'm not sure about this Obama guy. I understand his charisma and his charm but this guy makes me nervous. Anyone who is seated to the left of Pelosi and Kennedy at the liberal lunch-table makes me nervous.

I'll end this blog with a bit of a testimony. God is good all of the time! We could not make it without His grace and mercy. He loves us more than we can imagine. He is patient, kind and faithful. Pick up His word. There is some good stuff in there.

Until next time......